Orange League Basketball : Valencia Totally Dominates Savanna but Loses

Valencia High School shot better, rebounded better and played better defense than Savanna but still lost, 46-40, Wednesday in an Orange League boys’ basketball game at Valencia.

The victory was the eighth consecutive for the Rebels (19-3, 7-0), who have also won 15 of their last 16 games. The defeat drops Valencia to 10-8 and 4-3 and eliminates the Tigers from a chance at the league title.

“We were totally out-played and out-executed tonight,” Savanna Coach Tom Gregory said. “Even when everything goes wrong we somehow find a way to win.”

Valencia used a trapping press to force the Rebels to turn the ball over 15 times. The Tigers held a slim 23-22 halftime lead on the shooting of Rudy Lopez and Bernie James.

The Rebels took the lead for good when Justin Paulie connected on a three-pointer to make the score, 33-31, with about four minutes remaining.

James led all scorers with 15 points and Lopez added 12. Robby Booker led Savanna with 12 points, including back-to-back baskets with a little less than two minutes left to clinch the victory.

Valencia outrebounded Savanna, 27-18.

Brea-Olinda 74, Anaheim 59--Matt Chamberlain, a junior center, scored 27 points and Keith Walker added 20 for host Brea (12-9, 5-2). Anaheim (1-16, 0-7) was led by Marcus Mitchell with 30 points.